A gay pride flag flaps in the breeze over Provincetown in Cape Cod

While New England doesn't usually conjure up images of sand and sea, the region is actually quite blessed with hot-weather hangouts.

Cape Cod, the "arm" of eastern Massachusetts, juts out for 100 miles into the ocean and brims with gorgeous stretches of beach, sand dunes and bright lighthouses. Eastham, and particularly Chatham, are upscale mainstays of the mid-Cape (right near the "elbow"), featuring sweet shops, good restaurants and great beach access.

The Cape's best time however, is down in Provincetown, the Cape's terminus, a charismatic, gay-friendly hot spot with old weathered cottages, sweeping beaches, fantastic food and nightly drag shows.

The "islands" refer to breezy Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, although Block Island, off Rhode Island, is another fantastic getaway spot with 32 miles of hiking trails and 17 miles of beach.